My wife and I are planning a trip to between September 29 and October 8 where I will have some opportunities to do some railfanning during the trip. I am interested in the and the “Big Ten” curve on the Moffat Subdivision, the Joint Line between and , the Royal Gorge, and . I have some questions since I haven’t done any railroad photography in in over 20 years.
How many trains run through the in each direction during daylight hours?
Is it possible to photograph trains rounding the “Big Ten” curve without trespassing on railroad or other private property?
My wife and I are planning a trip to Colorado between September 29 and October 8 where I will have some opportunities to do some railfanning during the trip. I am interested in the Coal Creek Canyon and the “Big Ten” curve on the Moffat Subdivision, the Joint Line between Denver and Colorado Springs, the Royal Gorge, and Durango. I have some questions since I haven’t done any railroad photography in Colorado in over 20 years.
How many trains run through the Coal Creek Canyon in each direction during daylight hours?
Is it possible to photograph trains rounding the “Big Ten” curve without trespassing on railroad or other private property?
How many trains run over the Joint Line between Denver and Colorado Springs in each direction during daylight hours?
Where are other interesting sites for photographing trains on the Joint Line from public property in addition to Palmer Lake that are accessible by paved road?
My wife and I are planning a trip to Colorado between September 29 and October 8 where I will have some opportunities to do some railfanning during the trip. I am interested in the Coal Creek Canyon and the “Big Ten” curve on the Moffat Subdivision, the Joint Line between Denver and Colorado Springs, the Royal Gorge, and Durango. I have some questions since I haven’t done any railroad photography in Colorado in over 20 years.
How many trains run through the Coal Creek Canyon in each direction during daylight hours? At that time of year, between 6 and 10
Is it possible to photograph trains rounding the “Big Ten” curve without trespassing on railroad or other private property?Yes – from Blue Mountain Road and the State Highway
How many trains run over the Joint Line between Denver and Colorado Springs in each direction during daylight hours? At that time of year, between 10 and 16
The best way to photograph the Royal Gorge Route train in the Royal Gorge Park is to ride he incline railway to the bottom of the gorge. You will be right at trackside and very close the the Hanging Bridge. You are allowed to stay down ther as long as you wish (just don’t miss the last incline run to the top). From the suspension bridge or anywhere else at the top of the gorge the train will be “z-scale” at best.
For a free photo of the train you can hike along Tunnel Drive Trail which follows the river and the tracks. Drive west out of Canon City. Just past the power plant, take the first left turn onto Tunnel Drive. Follow Tunnel Drive to the end and there is a parking area on the right. After the first steep switchbacks, the trail becomes very easy. You will go through three tunnels which penetrate the “Gate” or the natural entrance to the Gorge. No, this was not a rail line. It was an access road for an old water supply pipe. You will learn more about the water system when you visit the park. The trail goes about four miles along the river but doesn’t get to the Suspension Bridge area. It is a great hike, however . Enjoy your trip!
esp. the ‘‘Data Warehouse’’ index page, which you can also acess by clicking on the innocuous-appearing ‘Data’ link at the top under the heading/ title, at:
We thank you in advance for bringing the cooler weather with you. Depending where you pop in at, you most likely will see heavy traffic on the weekends with folks heading to the hills to watch the Aspen turn yellow. Be advised of distracted drivers.